Shoe with light and sound activated manually and automatically

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to an article of footwear having both one or more light sources such as LEDs, and a loudspeaker, which are activated either by a manual switch or an inertia switch. Indicia mounted to the shoe, or to the manual switches carried by the shoe, correspond to the sounds produced by the loudspeaker.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to articles of footwear, and, more particularly,to a shoe having an array of light sources such as LEDs and aloudspeaker which are independently activated by an inertia switch andone or more manual switches associated with indicia carried on the shoeor on the manual switches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For a number of years, articles of footwear and various items ofclothing have been sold with decorative arrays of light sources such aslight emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or a loudspeaker capable of producing asound. This has been particularly popular in children's shoes where theLEDs are arranged to complement other design elements of the shoe suchas cartoon characters and the like.

In a typical design of a children's shoe of the type noted above, amodule including a plastic housing is placed in a cavity usually formedin the heel area of the shoe. The module mounts a battery, a switch and,conventionally, an integrated circuit which is connected by wires toLEDs positioned along the outsole, upper or tongue of the shoe. Theintegrated circuit may also be capable of generating a signal whichoperates a loudspeaker, typically mounted in the upper or tongue of theshoe in the general area of the LEDs. Systems of this type are shown,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,525,487; 6,286,975; 6,012,822;5,969,479; 5,894,201; 5,812,063 and others.

The integrated circuits employed in modules for children's shoes andother applications are activated by one or more switches carried on orotherwise coupled to the module. In some designs, the switch turns onand off in response to the application of an inertial force, pressure ormotion. Spring switches such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE37,220 and5,909,088 are a popular choice for children's shoes because they arereliable, noiseless and movable from a neutral or off position to aclosed or on position in response to walking, running or other motion ofthe shoe. Pressure switches such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,768;5,649,376; 5,855,080 and 5,714,706 are also employed and they operate inresponse to the application of a weight, e.g. when the shoe makescontact with a surface.

Another type of switch employed in children's shoes and similarapplications is a manually activated switch such as shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,894,686; 6,278,378 and 5,813,148. Manual switches are used toturn on and off the light source carried by the shoe, to selectdifferent modes of operation for the integrated circuit associated withthe shoe, e.g. different flashing sequences or other operations, and forother purposes. Some systems, such as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.5,813,148, employ both manual and inertial switches to activate lightsources and/or sound sources associated with the shoe. In the '148system, the manual switch turns on and off a light source, and alsocauses a controller including an integrated circuit to activate aparticular mode of operation. One of the modes of operation enables aninertia or pressure sensitive switch, which then operates to activatethe light source in a selected flashing sequence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an article of footwear having both one ormore light sources such as LEDs, and a loudspeaker, which are activatedeither by a manual switch or an inertia switch. Indicia mounted to theshoe, or to the manual switches carried by the shoe, correspond to thesounds produced by the loudspeaker.

One aspect of this invention is predicated on the concept of providingan interactive shoe for younger children which helps teach them numbers,shapes, colors or other designs. Additionally, an array of LEDs mountedto the upper of the shoe illuminate in a flashing sequence when thechild walks thus providing a decorative element to the shoe.

In each of the presently preferred embodiments, an array of LEDs ismounted in a decorative pattern on the upper of the shoe. An electricalcircuit including a controller in the form of an integrated circuit (IC)is operative to illuminate these LEDs in a flashing sequence. The IC isactivated by a spring switch which operates in response to theapplication of an inertial force, created such as when a child walks inthe shoe.

The interactive aspect of the shoe of this invention operatesindependently of the spring switch. In one embodiment, differentindicia, each in the form of a patch of material marked with a number,are mounted to the upper of the shoe over a separate manual switchconnected to an IC associated with the controller. This IC may bedifferent from the one which operates the LEDs in a flashing sequence,or one IC which performs both functions may be used. For example, threepatches having the numbers one, two and three may be provided, eachoverlying a separate manual switch in the upper of the shoe. When thechild presses on the patch bearing the number “1,” the manual switchunderneath that patch sends a signal to the second IC which causes theloudspeaker to produce the sound for the number “1.” The same is truefor the other numbers, and there may be essentially any combination ofnumbers employed on the shoe.

In an alternative embodiment, the patches of material mounted to theshoe are of a different color, design or shape. When a child presses oneof the patches, for example one having a red color, the manual switchunderneath that patch sends a signal causing the IC to operate theloudspeaker so that the sound for the color “red” is produced.Similarly, if one of the patches is formed in the shape of a star, forexample, the sound for the term “star” would be made by the loudspeakerby depressing the manual switch underlying the star-shaped patch. Theinteractive aspect of this invention therefore assists the child inlearning his or her numbers, colors, shapes or other designs whileadding an element of fun to the shoe.

In a still further embodiment of this invention, a second array of LEDsis provided separate from the first group of LEDs. This second group ofLEDs is activated by a manual switch connected to a second IC (or asingle IC performing dual functions) which is effective to illuminatethe LEDs in different sequences depending upon how many times the manualswitch is operated. For example, if the manual switch is pressed a firsttime the LEDs will illuminate in one sequence, and then when the manualswitch is activated again the LEDs operate in a different sequence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferredembodiment of this invention will become further apparent uponconsideration of the following description, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe having a module which isconnected to an array of LEDs and to a loudspeaker both mounted to theupper of the shoe;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of the upper of FIG. 1 in whichindicia bearing a number cover manual switches mounted to the upper;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 except where the indicia have adifferent shape;

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of theelectrical circuit associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 includingone set of LEDs, a loudspeaker and two ICs;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram similar to FIG. 4 except with only one ICinstead of two;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of this inventionwhich is similar to FIG. 2 except with two sets of LEDs instead of onlyone set;

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment ofthe electrical circuit of this invention associated with the shoe ofFIG. 6 including two sets of LEDs and two ICs; and

FIG. 8 is a view of an electrical circuit similar to FIG. 7 except withone IC instead of two.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, a shoe 10 is shown having an outsole12 connected to an upper 14 including a tongue 16. It should beunderstood that any other article of footwear is considered within thescope of this invention, and the shoe 10 is shown for purposes ofillustration. As such, the term “upper” is meant to broadly encompassessentially any shoe element mounted to the outsole of an article offootwear such as the straps of a sandal, etc.

A module 18 having a housing 19 preferably made of plastic is mounted inthe heel 20 of the shoe 10. A cavity (not shown) is hollowed out of theheel 20 to receive the module 18, over which the sock liner or insole ofthe shoe 10 is secured. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, themodule 18 is connected by wires 22 to an array of LEDs 24 mounted to theupper 14 of the shoe 10, and by a wire 26 to a loudspeaker 28 alsocarried by the upper 14. The particular location or arrangement of theLEDs 24 on the shoe 10 is a matter of choice, and it is contemplatedthey could be placed on the outsole 12, tongue 16 and in essentially anyother position on the shoe 10. The loudspeaker 28 is preferably mountedto the tongue 16 or some area of the upper 14, rather than on theoutsole 12.

Three manually operated, push button switches 30, 32 and 34 are mountedto the upper 14 and connected by wires (not shown) to the module 18. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 2, each switch 30-34 is hidden from view by apatch 36, 38 and 40, respectively, having an indicia on its exposedsurface. These patches 36-40 are formed of a section of material such ascloth, plastic or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, an indicia appears oneach of the patches 36-40 in the form of a number, e.g., the number “1”on patch 36, the number “2” on patch 38 and the number “3” on patch 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention which issimilar to that of FIG. 2, except it includes patches 42, 44 and 46having indicia other than numbers. Such indicia may be a different colorfor each patch 42-46, e.g. red, green and yellow, or it may be adifferent shape such as a star, square, circle, triangle etc. Forpurposes of illustration, the patches 42, 44 and 46 are shown havingindicia in the shape of a circle, star and triangle, respectively. Itshould be understood that other shapes, designs and selected colors maybe employed as indicia on the patches 36-40 or 42-46, and are consideredwithin the scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an electrical circuit 48 is schematicallydepicted which includes a battery 50, a spring switch 52, a lightingintegrated circuit (IC) 54 (IC 1), a sound integrated circuit 56 (IC 2),the LEDs 24, loudspeaker 28 and the manual, push button switches 30-34.For purposes of the present discussion, the two ICs 54 and 56 areconsidered a “controller.” The battery 50, ICs 54, 56 and spring switch52 are preferably mounted on the module 18. The wire 26 connects thesound IC 56 to the loudspeaker 28, wires 35 connect the push buttonswitches 30-34 to the sound IC 56 and the wires 22 connect the lightingIC 54 to the LEDs 24.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the spring switch 52 is connectedby a line 58 to the lighting IC 54, which, in turn, is connected by line60 to the battery 50. As noted above, wires 22 connect the lighting IC54 with the LEDs 24, which, in turn, are connected via line 62 to thebattery 50. Each of the push button switches 28-32 is connected by aline 64 to one terminal of the battery 50 and the sound IC 56 isconnected by a line 66 to the opposite terminal of the battery 60.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative electrical circuit 67 employed with theembodiments of FIGS. 1-3 which is similar to the circuit of FIG. 4except only one integrated circuit or controller is used instead of two.The same reference numbers are used to identify circuit elements commonto FIGS. 4 and 5. The spring switch 52 and push button switches 30-34are connected by lines 68 to an IC 70 which controls the operation ofthe LEDs 24 and the loudspeaker 28. The switches 52 and 30-34 areconnected by a line 72 to one terminal of battery 50, and the IC 70 isconnected by a line 74 to the opposite terminal of battery 50.

The detailed construction of the spring switch 52, lighting IC 54, soundIC 56 and IC 70 forms no part of this invention and is therefore notdiscussed herein. Each of these elements is known in the art andcommercially available. One type of spring switch 52 suitable for use inthe module 18 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,764. The sound IC 56is available under part number 66391, and the lighting IC 52 isavailable under part number 6608, both from Cheerine Development (HongKong) Ltd., having a place of business at Room 1217, North Tower,Concordia Plaza, No. 1 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon,Hong Kong.

Operation of FIGS. 1-5

The shoe 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 operates as follows. The spring switch 52is connected between one terminal of the battery 50 and the lighting IC54, which, in turn, connects to the other battery terminal through line60. In response to the application of an inertial force or motion to thespring switch 52, it operates to electrically connect the battery 50with the lighting IC 54. This activates the lighting IC 54 which iseffective to illuminate the LEDs 24 connected thereto in a particularflashing or other lighting sequence.

The manual, push button switches 30, 32 and 34 operate independently ofthe spring switch 52. As noted above, the switches 30-34 are mounted tothe upper 14 of the shoe 10 beneath patches 36-40 or patches 42-46,respectively. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the patches 36-40 bear anindicia in the form of numbers, e.g. “1,” “2” and “3,” while in theembodiment of FIG. 3 the patches 42-46 are formed of different shapes orother indicia. The sound IC 56 is operative to receive a signal from oneof the switches 30-34, and cause the loudspeaker 28 to produce a soundcorresponding to the indicia on one of the patches 36-40 or 42-46 whichoverlies that switch. For example, if a child depresses the push buttonswitch 30 beneath the patch 36 marked with the number “1,” the sound IC56 is operative to cause the loudspeaker to make the sound for thenumber “1.” Similarly, if a child depresses the push button switch 30beneath the patch 44 in FIG. 3, the loudspeaker 28 is operated by thesound IC 56 to sound the word “star” corresponding to the shape of thepatch 44.

The electrical circuit 67 depicted in FIG. 5 operates in the same manneras circuit 48 of FIG. 3, except it employs a single IC 70 or controllerwhich performs the combined functions of the lighting IC 54 and sound IC56 described above. The LEDs 24 are operated in response to opening andclosing of the spring switch 52, and the loudspeaker 28 is activated bydepressing one of the push button switches 30-34 to produce a soundcorresponding to the indicia on the patches 36-40 or 42-46.

In each of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5, using either the circuit 48 or67, the shoe 10 of this invention combines a decorative array of LEDs 24with an educational aspect which is fun for a child wearing the shoe 10.By causing a sound to be produced corresponding to the indicia on thepatches 36-40 or 42-46, the child is assisted in learning number,shapes, colors and the like. The LEDs 24 illuminate in a flashing orother lighting sequence when the child walks, and the shoe 10 “talks to”the child in an interactive manner when he or she depresses one of thepush buttons 30-34 as described above.

Embodiment of FIGS. 6-8

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, an alternative embodiment of the shoe 10 ofthis invention is shown wherein the loudspeaker 28 is eliminated and twosets of LEDs 24 and 24′ are employed instead of one as in FIGS. 1-5.Structure which is common to FIGS. 1-5 and 6-8 is given the samereference numbers in all views.

The shoe 10 of FIGS. 6-8 includes an array of LEDs 24 mounted to theupper 14 which are activated by a spring switch 52, and a second arrayof LEDs 24′ which are activated by single manual, push button switch 76operative independently of the spring switch 52. Preferably, the pushbutton switch 76 is covered by a decorative patch 78 mounted to theupper 14 of the shoe 10.

One embodiment of an electrical circuit 80 which causes the LEDs 24 toilluminate is schematically depicted in FIG. 7. The same lighting IC 54used in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is employed in the circuit of FIG. 7.The lighting IC 54 is connected to the battery 50, spring switch 52 andthe array LEDs 24 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4 and describedabove. This portion of the circuit 80 operates in the same way as thecorresponding part of FIG. 4 to illuminate the LEDs 24 in a flashing orother lighting sequence in response to the application of an inertialforce, motion or the like to the shoe 10, and, hence, the spring switch52.

A second lighting IC 82 is connected by a line 84 to the manual pushbutton switch 76, and to each of the LEDs 24′ in the second array vialines 86. The second lighting IC 82 is connected by line 88 to theopposite terminal of battery 50. The lighting IC 54 and lighting IC 82are collectively considered a controller in that they operate the arraysof LEDs 24 and 24′.

In response to depressing the manual switch 76, the second lighting IC82 operates to illuminate the second array 75 of LEDs 24 in apredetermined sequence, depending on how many times the switch 76 ispushed. For example, in one sequence of operation, pushing the switch 76once causes one LED 24′ in the second array to flash three times, twoLEDs 24′ flash three times when the switch 76 is pressed again, and allthree LEDs 24′ flash three times when the switch 76 is pressed for thethird time. Essentially any other combination of lighting sequences ofthe LEDs 24′ could be employed so long as they operate in response tomanual activation of the push button switch 76.

FIG. 8 depicts a circuit 90 which operates in the same fashion as thecircuit 80 of FIG. 7 as described above, except it employs a single IC92 instead of two separate ICs 54 and 82. The first array of LEDs 24 areilluminated by the IC 86 in response to operation of the spring switch52, whereas the IC 86 causes the second array of LEDs 24′ to illuminateas described above upon receipt of a signal from the manual switch 76.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elementsthereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof.

For example, each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5 depict switches30, 32 and 34 mounted to the upper 14 of the shoe 10 beneath a patch36-40 or 42-46 bearing an indicia. Alternatively, the switches 30-34 maybe provided with an exposed surface bearing an indicia, thus eliminatingthe need for a patch.

Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this invention, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An article of footwear, comprising: an outsole, and an upper mountedto said outsole; an electrical circuit mounted to at least one of saidoutsole and said upper, said electrical circuit including: (i) aloudspeaker; (ii) a light source; (iii) a controller coupled to saidloudspeaker and to said light source; (iv) a first switch coupled tosaid controller, said controller being effective in response tooperation of said first switch to activate said light source; (v) asecond switch coupled to said controller, said controller beingeffective in response to operation of said second switch to activatesaid loudspeaker for producing a sound; an indicia associated with saidsecond switch, said sound produced by said loudspeaker corresponding tosaid indicia.
 2. The article of footwear of claim 1 in which saidcontroller is a light integrated circuit and a separate sound integratedcircuit.
 3. The article of footwear of claim 1 in which said firstswitch is an inertia switch.
 4. The article of footwear of claim 1 inwhich said second switch is a manual switch.
 5. The article of footwearof claim 1 in which said indicia is a number.
 6. The article of footwearof claim 5 in which said controller is effective to cause saidloudspeaker to sound the word for said number in response to operationof said second switch.
 7. The article of footwear of claim 1 in whichsaid indicia is a shape.
 8. The article of footwear of claim 7 in whichsaid controller is effective to cause said loudspeaker to sound the wordfor said shape in response to operation of said second switch.
 9. Thearticle of footwear of claim 1 in which said second switch is operatedindependently of said first switch.
 10. The article of footwear of claim1 in which said second switch is a manual switch mounted to one of saidoutsole and said upper, said article of footwear further including apatch overlying said manual switch.
 11. The article of footwear of claim10 in which said patch is marked with said indicia.
 12. The article offootwear of claim 10 in which said indicia is a shape, said patchincluding in said shape of said indicia.
 13. An article of footwear,comprising: an outsole, and an upper mounted to said outsole; anelectrical circuit mounted to at least one of said outsole and saidupper, said electrical circuit including: (i) a loudspeaker; (ii) alight source; (iii) a controller coupled to said loudspeaker and to saidlight source; (iv) a first switch coupled to said controller, saidcontroller being effective in response to operation of said first switchto activate said light source; (v) a second switch and a third switcheach coupled to said controller, said controller being effective inresponse to operation of each of said second and third switches toactivate said loudspeaker, said loudspeaker producing a different sounddependent on which one of said second and third switches is operated; adifferent indicia associated with each of said second and thirdswitches, said different sound produced by said loudspeakercorresponding to a respective one of said different indicia.
 14. Thearticle of footwear of claim 13 in which said indicia associated withsaid second switch is one number, and said indicia associated with saidthird switch is a different number.
 15. The article of footwear of claim14 in which said controller is effective to cause said loudspeaker tosound the word for a number corresponding to whichever one of saidsecond and third switches is operated.
 16. The article of footwear ofclaim 13 in which said indicia associated with said second switch is oneshape, and said indicia associated with said third switch is a differentshape.
 17. The article of footwear of claim 16 in which said controlleris effective to cause said loudspeaker to sound the word for a shapecorresponding to whichever one of said second and third switches isoperated.
 18. An article of footwear, comprising: an outsole, and anupper connected to said outsole; an electrical circuit mounted to atleast one of said outsole and said upper, said electrical circuitincluding: (i) a first light source, and a second light source; (ii) acontroller coupled to said first and second light sources; (iii) a firstswitch coupled to said controller, said controller being effective toactivate said first light source in response to operation of said firstswitch; (iv) a second switch coupled to said controller, said controllerbeing effective to activate said second light source in response tooperation of said second switch, said second switch being operativeindependently of said first switch.
 19. The article of footwear of claim18 in which said first switch is an inertia switch.
 20. The article offootwear of claim 19 in which said controller is effective to activatesaid first light source in a flashing sequence in response to operationof said inertia switch.
 21. The article of footwear of claim 18 in whichsaid second switch is a manual switch.
 22. The article of footwear ofclaim 21 in which said second light source is a first LED and a secondLED.
 23. The article of footwear of claim 22 in which said controller iseffective to activate said first LED and said second LED in a differentsequence dependent on the number of times said second switch isoperated.